Stopping Distances?

[ben1191]

anyone got a chart on ford stopping distances and other cars,cant find anythging anywhere on the net,quite stupid really.

[jeebowhite]

Hi Ben,

Stopping distances are not based on models, but as a general rule are based on the "average car". Tyres are the measure of stopping distances rather than the car itself.

There never has really been a reason to collect this information I guess which is why its not publicised.

[ben1191]

Yeah,when you read the road tests though and especially on youtube,theyll do stopping distances etc.Everyone is so up on 0-60 and how fast a car is,nobody ever discusses brakes and stopping distances though which is where its all at lol.

wanna put ST-150 callipers discs and pads onto the front of my zetec S just wish i could find a general stopping distance for the ST-150 and a standard zs to see how well they compare

[theredfox]

surely stopping distance you have got to take into account suspension/brakes amd most important make of tyres fitted to that car

paul

[ben1191]

Well yeah they do take that into account,but most higher performanced cars will come with what the manufacturer beleives to be the best setup

[FOCA]

The surface temperature and conditions have a greater influence on stopping distances, along with the tyre condition, pressure, make and model

Temperatue has a big effect - with many tyres, the grip is greatly reduced at under 7 degrees C

Road camber, condition of the road surface (eg, contaminated with oil, stones etc) or if the surface is bumpy, roundabouts can often get "polished" - the very grippy stuff they put on accident black spots/ some juctions is called "shellgrip"

obvoiusly wet weather, slush or snow has a big effect in grip - but the best tyre for a hot sunny day may not be the best one for a cool, rainy autumn night - its a compromise

On a bumpy road worn shock absorbers can increase stopping distances

the bigger discs may reduce fade from high speeds (100+) but may not make any difference stopping from 30, they may even be detrimental, and imbalance the car (you might have to get the entire, all-round ST setup)

A magazine tested a Motorcycle against a 911 turbo (years ago) and the 911 had half the stoppingn distances than those shown in the highway code - but as above - difficult to get consistant/ comparable results when even temperature makes such a big difference, never mind road grippyness and other factors

A brand new set of the best "A" rated tyres will probably make a bigger difference than a brake upgrade, in my opinion - like goodyear eagle F1s

[ben1191]

Nah the st-150 setup on the front is tested and trusted on the zsoc,its just so dead over there it takes a month to get an answer lol.my brakes just seem crap compared to the focus (ok its all round discs on the focus) but still.can even fit 300mm mondeo callipers onto them,look huge under the little 15" wheels :D

Yeah the conditions make all the difference,its just a shame they dont go out one day and test a load of hatches in the same condition for a general idea on what are good.Its even hard to find the size of most cars callipers and discs etc unless you put a number plate into europarts and check them there

[FOCA]

I found this -

http://www.motortrend.com/features/mt_hot_list/1112_22_cars_that_stop_from_mph_in_less_than_100_feet/

its got a reference to buying decent tyres, as i mentioned

[ben1191]

Yeah already read that,i was more interested in average cars than top of the range